Fri. Dec. 18, 2015: Completion of Chapter Questions

Today, students worked on their final package of chapter questions. These are due when they return after the holidays. Have a great break!

Wed. Dec. 16, 2015: Boy in the Striped Pajamas Continued

Today, students handed in their answers for Chapters 11 - 14 and wrote a quiz.
I then gave out the questions for Chapters 15-20. I will quiz you on these chapters on Friday, but will not expect the questions completed at that time.

Mon. Dec. 14, 2015: The Boy Cintinued

Today, students wrote a quiz on Chapters Seven to Ten of the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. You were then given reading questions for Chapters 11-14. These are due on Wednesday.

Thurs. Dec. 10, 2015: Boy in the Striped Pajamas Ch. 3-6

Today, we reviewed the answers for chapters 3 to 6 and you also wrote a quiz on this first section. I then gave you questions for chapters 7 - 10 to be completed for Monday's class.

Tues. Dec. 8, 2015: Boy in the Striped Pajamas 1-3 question discussion

Today, students were to have read chapters 1 to 3 of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and to have answered questions for these chapters. We discussed these answers. I then instructed them to answer the questions for chapters 4 to 6 and have them read and answered for Thursday's class.

Fri. Dec. 4, 2015: Introduction to novel

Today, I introduced the novel you are going to be reading: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. Most of you are already familiar with the movie.
I then had you write down "page 1" and the time. You were then given the rest of the class time to read. After this, I had you write down the page number you stopped on and calculate your reading speed. These were then submitted.

I also handed out questions for chapters 1 to three and a chapter analysis sheet that must be completed after reading each chapter.

You are to read Chapters 1 to 3 (pages 1 to 29) for Tuesday's class. You are also to have the chapter analysis sheet filled in for these three chapters and answer the questions on the chapters that I have also handed out.
To stay caught up, some of you may need to read ahead.

Wed. Dec. 2, 2015: Comprehension Exam

Today, you wrote a reading comprehension exam. It was multiple choice. You had to use process of elimination to answer your questions and read actively.

If you finished early, you were instructed to go to the library and take out the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyle.

I will introduce the novel on Friday (you would start reading ahead if you choose).

Mon. Nov. 30, 2015: Comma usage and Test Prep

Today, we continued examining the comma rules (rules 3 and 4).

You will have a reading comprehension exam on Wednesday. To prepare for it, be sure you understand the steps to reading actively (omit page numbers for paragraphs and the three sentence summary at the end but highlight relevant 5ws, changes in direction, unknown words and paraphrase in one or two words each paragraph or dialogue/idea stream).

I then discussed what is meant by process of elimination (how to approach a multiple choice exam by eliminating the throwaways, and then circling the one of the remaining two that you think is the right answer). I also discussed the importance of actively reading the questions in a test.

Finally, I gave you a list of words from the actual exam that you should define and familiarize yourself with. While you do get a dictionary, you don't want to have to waste too much time. The more you know the better.

Thurs. Nov. 26, 2015: Apostrophe Usage

Today, we discussed tricks to remember how to use/place apostrophes. The exercises were done in-class on the board. Students were also given a handout.

Tues. Nov. 24, 2015: Writing Completion

Today, you finished writing your report to the commander.

Fri. Nov. 20, 2015: Writing Class: Letter and Format

Today, you worked on creating a report to the commander written by the sniper (see earlier instructions). You need to save this in the school system. I am insisting that you meet with me before you print so that we can both be sure you are using the proper format.

Wed. Nov. 18, 2015: "The Sniper" Discussion and Major Assignment

Today, we discussed the short story "The Sniper."
We also went over the definition of irony and the three types (verbal, situational and dramatic).

I then gave you a major assignment. It is writing a report to the commander about the events of the day (in a business letter format). The due date for this assignment is Tuesday, November 24.

I have placed the assignment and a sheet explaining the business letter format in your portfolio if you were absent.

Mon. Nov. 16, 2015: "The Sniper" readings and questions

Today, you will be given the reading "The Sniper" by Liam O' Flaherty to actively read. Some of you are not meeting the basic objectives of active reading. Be sure to analyze the title first, then number the paragraphs, then read the first paragraph highlighting relevant Ws and unknown, unfamiliar words. After each paragraph, write a brief (a couple of words only) paraphrase in the margin.
Once you have finished a reading, write a three sentence summary on the last page (so you can easily recall a text).
You will also be given some questions to answer about this text. These are due (as are the active readings) for Wednesday.

Mon. Nov. 9, 2015: Reading an essay on "The Skating Party"

Today, you were to actively read the essay "The Unpleasant truth." This essay uses "The Skating Party as its source. You were to read it actively, looking for the thesis, main points, and evidence. As this was a draft, you also were to look critically for errors of grammar, spelling and mechanics and point these out. I suggest you use your "15 Common Errors" booklet if in doubt about a rule.

Thurs. Nov. 5, 2015: The Skating Party

Today, you were to have actively read the short story "The Skating Party." You were then given questions to answer about this text. Please be sure to do your best to consider your answers and their relevance. These should be done for Monday's class.

Tues. Nov. 3, 2015: Comma Usage

Today, we discussed comma usage rules (4). I used a Powerpoint to explain and also gave you a handout of the rules. You then had to complete questions for each rule (also a handout). If you were not here, these are in your portfolio.
As a class, we did the exercises for 1 and 2. If you were not here, please do these and submit.
Remember: you can come in and check your portfolio at any time as long as you come in quietly and respectfully.

Parent-teacher interviews are tonight and tomorrow night from 7 to 9 pm. Please let parents know. Further, I will only be there until 8 tomorrow (Wed.). Please schedule with this in mind.

Writing Class: New Reading Assignment

Today, you were to complete and submit your essay. You were then given the reading "The Skating Party." By Myrna Summers. You are to have it read for Tuesday. If you were not here on Friday, come and and get it out of your portfolio on Monday morning; that way, you can still have it actively read for Tuesday's class.

Wed. Oct. 28, 2015: Writing Class

Students continued to work on their essays. They have until Friday at the end of the day to complete and submit.

Mon. Oct. 26, 2015: Writing Class

Today, you worked on your first essay. I have extended the deadline to Friday at the end of the day to allow more time for revision.

Thurs. Oct.22, 2015: Major Assignment: Essay

Today, you were given your first essay writing assignment. It will be due at the end of the day on Wednesday, October 28. If you are not a fast writer, keep in mind that I am here at lunch on Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and that the library opens at lunch at 12:20. You can also access computers during RTI.
This assignment will need to be saved in your computer student folder and submitted in hard copy form.

Tues. Oct. 20, 2015: "Possibility of Evil" and Essay Prep

Today, you wrote a journal summarizing this reading that was to be actively read for today's class. We then went over the story examining the main character's personality traits (direct and indirect).
I then reviewed essay writing and expectations with you. You will have your first essay writing assignment given to you on Thursday.

Thurs. Oct. 15, 2015: Answers and Discussion of Expectations

Today, we went over the answers to the questions for "The Crystal Stars have just begun to Shine."
I stressed the need to properly submit assignments, use pen unless otherwise indicated, and use complete sentences in answers (flip the question into the statement and answer it).
I also handed out the next reading. "The Possibility of Evil," by Shirley Jackson. It is to be actively read for Tuesday's class.

Tues. Oct. 13, 2015: The Crystal Stars..." Questions

Today, I did a visual homework check to ensure students were actively reading and had completed the reading for today's class.
They were then given two assignments to complete for Thursday: a plot line on the short story, and questions. If you were not here, these are in your portfolio.

Wed. Oct. 7, 2015: Short Story Active Reading "The Crystal Stars Have Just Begun to Shine"

Today, the students reviewed the active reading steps and the areas that should be considered when reading a short story (review from last class). They were then given the short story "The Crystal Stars Have Just Begun to Shine" by Martha Brooks," to actively read. As this is a relatively short text, students should be able to have it read by the end of class.

Mon. Oct. 5, 2015: Short Story Analysis

Today, we watched a Pixar short to determine the elements present in a short story. We examined all of the plot information, conflicts, main and minor characters and purpose. What we did not focus on was setting (it was pretty flat) and point of view (as it is a visual, objective third person is the only choice). This also was a group activity.

Thurs. Oct. 1, 2015: Sask Career Login and Inventory

Today, all students created a log in for Sask Careers as well as completed four "Inventory" assignments. See me if you were not here.
If you were here and did register, you need to go into "Know Yourself" and then  "Inventory" and complete the following by the end of the weekend:

* Learning Styles Quiz
* Traits Quiz
* Multiple Intelligence Quiz
* Skills Quiz

If you have any trouble, see me or Mrs. Waterman as this is a requirement.

Tues. Sept. 29, 2015: Rubric Discussion

Today, we discussed the rubrics for writing assignments. I then handed back your paragraphs. You were given time to review the comments I made and then were instructed to answer a question in your journal. If you were not here, the paragraph was put in your portfolio.

Thurs. Sept. 24, 2015: Understanding plot

Today, you wrote a journal answering the following question: Summarize the article you were to have read for today. What was the main point the author was trying to get across to you?

We then discussed the article as it relates to the questions for this unit.

I then handed out "The History of the Short Story," which contains information on plot, characterization, setting etc (everything one should know in relation to short stories) which we then discussed.

At the end of that handout is a section of terms. Students need to study that section for a quiz on Tuesday, September 29.

The terms are as follows:

Atmosphere
Character foil
Cliché
Connotation
Denotation
Dialect
Episode
Flashback
Foreshadowing
Irony
Locale
Pathos
Stereotype
Style
Symbol
Tone

Tues, Sept. 22, 2015: Active Reading/Introduction to the Unit

Students were given the handout “Active Reading” which was gone over as a class.

Students were informed that they will have to practice these skills by actively reading the article “Adolescence: Challenges of the Teen Years.”

These are to be handed in by the start of the next class.

Fri. Sept. 18, 2015: Unit Introduction: Equity and Ethics

Today, we had a discussion about the questions in this unit that we will address:

·         1. Who and what is right?

·       2.   How does one attain empowerment?

·       3.   What is meant by degrees of responsibility?

·       4.   What is the balance between rights and responsibilities?

·      5.    What is the balance between justice and fairness?

TThe unit itself is about equity and ethics. The students were instructed to get into pairs and, using a dictionary, define these terms. From here, we brainstormed situations that might not be seen as equitable (fair). 

Wed. Sept. 16, 2015: Writing Lab/ Assignments Submissions

Today, students completed their paragraph and submitted it (using MLA layout guidelines) to me in both a hard copy and an electronic form.
The students also finished their "15 Common Errors" pretest, which was submitted in hard copy following basic in-class submission expectations.

Mon. Sept. 14, 2014: Writing Lab

The students continued to work on their paragraphs and "15 Common Errors" pre-test. These are both due at the end of the day on Wednesday, September 16. Please see further instructions by looking at the previous post.

Thurs. Sept. 10, 2015: Writing Lab

Today, the students worked on answering their pre-test and paragraph development.

Keep in mind that the paragraph must also be emailed to me at :

dawn.benoit@nwsd.ca


The deadline for these assignments has been changed to the end of the day on Wednesday, September 16.

Tues. Sept. 8, 2015: Assessment - writing an pre-test

Today, you were given four different handouts:

1. Computer Usage Steps
2. Grade 10 English Language Arts Pre-Test
3. MLA Citation Booklet
4. Paragraph Writing Assignment

We discussed that students are to have all supplies here for today.

We then discussed the two assignments that you will be doing this week (both due at the end of class on Monday).

One is a personal paragraph (explained in computer usage steps and handout on paragraph writing); the other assignment is a pre-test to determine writing concerns. To do this activity, you will need to refer to your "MLA Citation Booklet" handout.

If you were not here, these papers are in your portfolio. See me at lunch, in the morning before school or during RTI for help.

Thurs. Sept. 3, 2015: MLA Citation

Today, I gave a brief overview of MLA formatting (for a book: single author). I explained that the purpose of citing is so that someone else can find the same book to which another is referring. We discussed how the 5Ws are the key items:

Author (last name [comma] and then first name[period])
Title (underlined when writing by hand [period])
City of publication (no need for province/state or country [semicolon])
Name of publisher [comma]
year of this publication (the most recent date [period]
medium of publication (usually just a matter of putting down whether the student got it from print or from the web [period]).

We then took text information, located the above details, and organized them into a continuous line, double spaced, and then indented on the second line and on any additional lines if there are any:

Mayer, Mercer. All by Myself. Racine: Western 

          Publishing Company, 1983. Print.

 

The students were then given books and instructed to create a citation. Part of this was also to ensure they know how to hand in assignments (first and last name, date, and class in upper right hand corner). These were then submitted. If a student misses a step, the student can meet with me and do a make-up to demonstrate understanding. Students who are absent can also meet with me to do this assignment. The goal is to ensure understanding and proficiency.

I also reminded the students that they need their supplies for Thursday, stressing the need for a USB stick as we will be working on the computers.

Tues. Sept. 1, 2015: Introduction

 Today, I introduced this course to the students and provided them with a supplies' list that is to be met for next Tuesday.